A Night on the Town ("Window Shopping" from Ep.15) - PG

[Moonlightsonata]

I really enjoyed reading this story. Not sure if I read it the first time? Thank you so much Lilly and for Alle who brought it back here.

[Shadow]

I've been trying to figure out how to leave a proper new comment on this story. Considering that I've read it at least once per year since I discovered it, plus five or six times this last difficult year, and somehow haven't left but the one comment, I expect it's time to say something more about it!

It's so easy to read, to start. The light tone always drew me in, the wonderful humor that always could make me laugh out loud. And that's anchored beneath the banter with the great depth of Mick and Josef's friendship. There's so much here that I saw it a little differently on each read, which made it new every time....even though I've memorized some parts!

Something I picked up on my last read is just how well this fits with the WLB episode. It's the perfect transition between Click and WLB, but that's not all. This read made me think of the wonderful Mick/Josef interaction later on in WLB, where Josef, imo, was more serious with Mick than we ever saw at any other time. Not breaking character, but still showing a softer side of himself to Mick. So much like what Josef is doing in this story, to help Mick through and past a trauma.

The other thing I've been especially noticing is how smoothly this story shifts between Mick's and Josef's viewpoints, and how much it's enhanced by the particular words that are used.

The two vampires rode westward through early morning LA, as the Ferrari played cat-and-mouse with green lights along Wilshire Boulevard. 

6:28 am. The sky had begun to blush with the anticipation of a new day as the two vampires rode off into the morning.

Two vampires riding through the morning is so much more evocative than having them drive, or travel, or go. I just picture them sailing proudly and confidently at the prow of the convertible.

I also particularly noticed the many different ways they thought of each other and of themselves just during this little excursion. In other things I've read, this sort of thing doesn't tend to work well, but here, it's kind of perfect.

Josef strode toward the back of the building, closely followed by his unsuspecting partner in crime.

The PI turned to the dubious mastermind and added pointedly, “OR - you could just come back when they’re OPEN.”

Josef pronounced swift judgment on the vignettes he passed, much like a general reviewing his troops, “No….no….no…..” He paused momentarily to evaluate a low modular grouping with flowery velour cushions. “NO.” His sergeant at arms followed closely behind, trying unsuccessfully to stifle his amusement.

Mick joined his design mentor at the model in question. “Why didn’t you just say so?”

As he wrestled with a growing suspicion that the night’s activities were not solely about window shopping as Josef would have him believe, Mick just sighed, thankful that it was only breaking and entering this time, and followed the master manipulator to the rear exit.

But I think the particular thing that makes this story special to me is Josef's carefully disguised care and compassion for his friend.

Ever since Mick’s re-turning, Josef had insisted on having regular deliveries of fresh blood made to his friend’s apartment – bottled straight from the freshie du jour. Mick wasn’t sure whether the gesture was motivated by some perceived step-sirely obligation or misplaced guilt, but either way he knew it was his friend’s way of showing his concern without actually having to say so.

And this one....

Mick steeled himself for one of Josef’s “unwritten rule” lectures or, at the very least, a colorful anecdote from his wild vampire youth. But none was offered. Even after half a century, the elder vampire could still manage to surprise him, not only with his creative use of words, but on occasion with his effective and carefully-timed use of silence.

And I haven't even gotten to Mick's perpetual coolness being defeated by a couch, Mick's former small dirigible, the proper time to get a new goat, Josef prowling the showroom like a predator and like a billionaire shopping for a place to sit....and so many more treasures.

It surprises me every time that this story is actually quite short! How can so much fit in here?

[Lilly]

MLC and MS - thank you so much for reading. I'm so glad it made you smile!

Ohhhh, Shadow - I can't tell you how much I loved reading your comment - especially right now. I love that you appreciated so many of my wordings here. I remember at the time how important it was for me to find a balance between the tension and the familiar ease between Mick and Josef. They were very much brothers - with a spattering of parent and child, as well as friends who agreed to disagree on some things. There was always good-natured ribbing, but usually it went deeper.

Thank you.

[MickLifeCrisis]

Wonderful and insightful (as always) comments, Shadow!